Colleges testing birth control kiosks

August 12, 2004

MADISON, WISCONSIN — Wisconsin is considering using touch-screen computers to allow women as young as 15 to order free condoms and birth control pills.

A central Wisconsin family planning group is testing the new touch-screens at three college campuses. The computers feed women's medical and personal information into a branch of the state Medicaid program that provides free contraceptive and reproductive health care to poor women.

Family Planning Health Services of Wausau hopes to generate enough interest that the state, local health departments and employers with underinsured workers will borrow, rent or buy the kiosks.

State officials are intrigued by the kiosks because they could help save the state money by reducing the number of pregnancies covered by Medicaid. But some conservative lawmakers are outraged at the notion, saying easy-access condoms and birth control pills promote sex.

"This program is for girls as young as 15, which is ridiculous," said Republican state Rep. Glenn Grothman. "Ostentatious displays of these kiosks unfortunately encourages the perception that promiscuity is the norm."

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Compiled from news services and edited by Lara Weber (lweber@tribune.com)